On Valentine’s Day, thousands of Uber and Bolt drivers decided to go on strike. They were protesting against the tough working conditions they face every day. The strike lasted for six hours, starting at 4 pm. The drivers were supported by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB). The union said that the drivers are forced to work very long hours, sometimes up to 70 or 80 hours a week. They also have to pay high rents for their cars and don’t have much job security. The union believes that thousands of drivers joined the strike to show their frustration.
The drivers said that their jobs are causing them a lot of stress, both financially and mentally. They feel like they are being treated unfairly by big companies like Uber. The strike was a way for them to stand together and demand better treatment.
One driver, Helio Santos, has been working for Uber for three and a half years. He started driving for Uber so he could take care of his children while his wife worked full-time for the NHS. Helio said that he feels like a “slave to the app.” He works 60 to 70 hours a week, doing both day and night shifts. He said that the situation is scary because drivers are competing with each other to get trips at the lowest fares. This makes it very hard for them to earn enough money to live.
Helio also explained that while Uber claims to pay the national living wage, they don’t consider the costs drivers have to pay to keep their cars running. Helio spends between £350 and £400 every week on car rent and electricity. He said that even if he makes £150 a day, it’s not enough to cover all his expenses. “£150 is nothing for a private hire driver,” he said.
The Chair of the IWGB’s Private Hire Drivers Branch, Nader Awaad, said that drivers across the country are tired of being treated poorly by companies like Uber. He said, “It’s time for us to take back the wheel.” The drivers want to have more control over their work and their lives.
The strike on Valentine’s Day was a big moment for these drivers. It showed that they are willing to stand up for their rights. They want better pay, fewer working hours, and more job security. The drivers feel that they are being taken advantage of by the big companies they work for. They hope that the strike will make these companies listen to their concerns and make changes.
The gig economy, which includes jobs like driving for Uber or delivering food, has become very popular in recent years. But many workers in the gig economy say that they are not treated fairly. They don’t get benefits like sick pay or holiday pay, and they have to work very long hours to make enough money. The strike by Uber and Bolt drivers is part of a larger movement of gig workers who are demanding better treatment.
The drivers who went on strike on Valentine’s Day are not just fighting for themselves. They are also fighting for their families. Many of them have children to support and bills to pay. They want to be able to work in a way that allows them to spend time with their families and live a decent life. Right now, they feel like they are working all the time but still struggling to make ends meet.
The strike was a peaceful protest, but it sent a strong message to companies like Uber and Bolt. The drivers want to be treated with respect and fairness. They want to be paid a fair wage for the work they do. They also want to have more control over their schedules so they can have a better work-life balance.
The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain has been supporting the drivers in their fight for better conditions. The union believes that the drivers deserve to be treated like human beings, not like machines. They are calling on the government to step in and make sure that gig workers are protected by labor laws.
